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The time had come at last for yet another Redemptive Meeting. In the over hundreds of times the group had met during their time together, a routine had become normal. Various members had patterns before or after a meeting that was commonplace for the group.
Such as Regina and Bibury who even today were talking about or more so ranting of annoyances in their lives. Be it siblings, coworkers, and even romance. Only for the latter to cause Bibury to smack Regina in the head once more out of annoyance of her joy at the idea of her asking Ciel out eventually. Even if the green haired girl afterward blushed while looking away afterwards.
Then there was the newfound children duo of the Redemptives, Mitsuki and Nico, to be talking happily to each other and their Redemptive “sister” Kaoru and her actual twin sister Michiru. Particularly about the twins newest ad of Pan Pan Bakery with their cat like avatars. Much to the twins blushing embarrassment at the two kids' enjoyment of it in spite of their wooden acting and odd deminors.
Additionally some in the group would talk about a single subject of interest. Like Ellen, Kurosu, Ruru, and Towa, all of whom discussed music. From Kurosu newest song or the lack thereof due to writer's block, Ruru’s newest concert routine she showed through video recording, Towa’s newest violin piece she was practicing, and Ellen’s own stories of her music loving towns concerts and newfound groups appearing. All of which lead each to be intrigued and understanding as fellow musicians.
And then on the note of new members, while not one in terms of characters, rather the name was Narsitoru. Narsitoru or now Tomo was recounting to those remaining like Ira, Shun, Olivier, Kiriya, and Hayato about his own redemptive moment recently at the orphanage of his childhood and how it allowed him to accept his former name once more. With Amane as the one helping Tomo tell the story right and not overly exaggerating himself.
All the while, a lone girl sat just basking in the conversations around her with her main focus being a book in front of her. Her golden eyes showed clear annoyance to the noise around her yet also focused entirely on the page in front of her. As she did though the girl thought of the voices she hadn't heard yet. Of their group she was missing their leader, Setsuna, as well as fellow older members Phantom, and Sorciere.
On top of Rio, the combo of people led the green haired girl to think maybe they went off to discuss something involving a silver green haired potential redemptive. Yet she is also a bit worried at not hearing a pleasant and soft voice not speaking at all. And as such she tore from her book a slight frown crossed her as she looked to not see the owner of that voice in the room at all.
This frown on Lillian’s face should be a bit surprising to those who know the girl vaguely. The library worker and current high schooler was known for her quiet demeanor and nearly unemotional expressions. All birthed from what or who she was in the past, and how despite reincarnating and forging a better life with her own sister, she was still very much unemotional.
Or at least could mask her feelings rather well with few being able to crack that. And the girl she was looking for, Tanomi, was one such person.
Lillian is not one known for making friends or being social, yet the pink loving pleasant dream was one who she was very clearly close to. She was her own redemptive senpai who brought the older girl out of her own grief and trauma as a dark clone of her sister.
The one who she could relate to and be understood by. Yet also the one to be a constant reminder to the girl of the power of hope and belief in oneself. In the beauty of life and joy this group can bring. Even if the noise and fighting this group generates often makes her wish she never joined, or at least wish she could nip it in the butt more often than not.
So without the girl’s pleasant kind voice echoing in the room, it caused her to feel slightly worried. Lillian knew she could take care of herself, after all she was one of the most powerful and experienced Redemptives at least in her own mind, even if the girl would deny that notion.
But she was more worried due to the girl's own joy at coming to this meeting the night before. As she thought of that she looked down at the messages in the group chat from the day before. Even if she frowned and cringed at the fighting going on in them.
(September 22nd, 3:05pm)
Regina: No stupid I am telling you they are way better!
Ira: And I am telling you that mine are way better than yours!
Regina: You can’t even make yours without Reika to help you!
Ira: As if you can make them without Mana, Aguri or your father watching you. If they weren’t around you’d burn down the house.
Regina: And who was it who almost did just that during Valentine’s Day? :)
Ira: I..why did Reika tell you guys about that.
Olivier: So um..just saw the group chat blow up with notifications and now I see it’s you two again. So, what stupid thing is it this time you guys are fighting about?
Ellen: Well it’s not just them..
Bibury: I still can't believe you tattle on me to Ciel!
Rio: Because what you did could have killed her and my love for it!
Kiriya: Gotta side with Rio on this one. That’s kinda a dick move Bibury.
Hayato: I agree it was a mean thing to do but hey at least it wasn’t our side being tampered with. I couldn’t imagine doing that to such a tasty thing!
Naristoru: Honestly, it’s because yours are too bland to be properly tampered with. It would just taste the same.
Amane: To..I mean Naristoru, that’s not a polite thing to say. Especially since you know fully well they can be tasty. You had some during the night before our fight with Ran.
Naristoru: Only due to those being premade when I had woken up after the rest of your group. If I could I would have the other.
Lillian: Can everyone stop texting on here when it doesn’t concern meetings? It’s rather distracting when I need to focus on studying for a test right now.
Olivier: Gotcha but we have to figure out what it is they are fighting about first.
Kurosu: It’s about which is better: Pancakes or Waffles. Apparently, Bibury messed with the ones Rio made this morning.
Bibury: Because he makes them all the time! If he at least made pancakes that could be something nice.
Kurosu: So now they are all fighting about which is better.
Setsuna: I must agree with Lillian on this one. This is getting to be disruptive guys. Can we please end this fighting? Also, so that I can tell you something important.
Tanomi: Oh what would that be Setsuna?
Bibury: Huh figured you were like Michiru, Kaoru, Shun, and the others who were not picking a side and were just ignoring the chat.
Tanomi: Oh no I was watching or reading. I must say both sides have good arguments even if I can’t say which I prefer.
Kiriya: But isn’t that Syrup guy on your team supposed to like Pancakes more than Waffles? I remember fighting him on that awhile back.
Tanomi: Oh yes but in my case I just like both. They are extremely tasty and I happily eat whatever he or anyone makes.
Bibury: Yep, she’s definitely Nozomi’s twin alright.
Setsuna: Regardless, I wished to inform all of you about our next meeting. I have finally worked out what we will do for our special activity and as such it will take place two weeks from now on Saturday. Is that fine with everyone?
Regina: Sounds good to me!
Ira: I can too.
Olivier: I can come.
Bibury: I might come.
Rio: I can come, especially to make sure Bibury does.
Bibury: Screw you Rio. But if I have to I guess I can come
Kiriya: I can come.
Hayato: I can come!
Setsuna: Um..Hayato, you already have to come since you live in Labyrinth.
Hayato: Oh...well I just wanted to say so.
Tomo / Naristoru: Ignoring the idiocy of that, I can come.
Amane: I can as well.
Lillian: I may be able to come, though I would have to see if some of you are behaving.
Regina: Yes mam!
Ira: Yes mam!
Bibury: Yes mam!
Kurosu: I can too!
Tanomi: That’s wonderful news! I believe I can and I might be able to bring along some friends to this meeting. :)
Setsuna: Oh right your friends in the Mirrored Five! I had forgotten to ask about them. Do you think they are willing to come?
Tanomi: They might! They have seemed to like the idea of it since our Golden Week resort vacation with Nozomi and the others. So maybe I can text them now about it!
Setsuna: Excellent. Though they don’t have to decide yet. Really I only need a few hours before the meeting to finalize the activity. So even if it’s a last minute choice that is completely fine.
Tanomi: Understood! Thank you Setsuna! I’ll let you know what they say! Have a wonderful day everyone!
(Tanomi left the chat)
Seeing this once more had caused a bit of a smile to appear on the green haired girl's face. Tanomi’s sheer positivity and joy was as infectious as her sisters and even more so in Lillian’s case due to it being less loud as Nozomi could be. Yet this caused her to begin to worry.
Was bringing these four with her causing her to be late? Did she run into some kinda issues with that purple monster like creature she told them that her friend Amai, took in?
She frowned thinking of that creature and the tricky situation Tanomi and her friends were in. Sure she had been told that the creature was seemingly better handled and had learned her lesson. Even fixing her mistake from her first encounter with the girls.
And yet said mistake still made Lillian angry. The idea of having those like her and Tanomi be forced to switch bodies with their counterparts, especially Tanomi herself, was madness. She was shocked to hear Tanomi imply switching with Nozomi was not a struggle.
The very idea of Lillian and Yuri switching would have sent the girl over the edge once more at the mere thought let alone have it happen with the one who caused it and was the only solution running off.
Yet even still the lessons she had learned by now with this group and those who redeemed even outside this group had taught her of cases far worse. So she supposed that worry was diminished slightly by causing problems, yet that made her simply worry more for her friend.
Especially as she eyed the clock near the door, which showed itself to be 5 minutes before the meeting's starting time. And for the punctual Tanomi to be taking this long to come in, it worried her slightly. Enough that she didn’t even realize her body had forced herself up, closed her book and began to walk to the door. Much to the confusion of a few.
“Hey Lillian, you okay?” Hayato questioned her as she paused at the door and blushed slightly. As she turned to the blonde and a few others she nodded. “I am fine. I simply wished to stretch my legs before the meeting.” She says as Hayato nods. “Ah well of course! Though be back in five minutes! That’s our starting time, even if Setsuna isn’t here yet.” Hayato says as Lillian nods and heads out without any other words.
As she entered the halls, she paused due to a figure emerging on the other end, entering the halls from the entrance. A figure with short magenta hair wearing a magenta shirt with black skirt and pink sneakers. It was Tanomi..and as she walks in, Lillian immediately feels a sense of dread spread through her body.
The girl was alone..not a hint of the four girls she said she’d bring were here. But more so as she observed the girl as she walked in her posture and expression were off putting. The girl was elegant and refined far more than her sister yet her movement into the hallway was sluggish and slouching. And even more worrying, the girl's face was frowning.
In her time with Tanomi, one thing had been made very clear to her. And to the majority of the group if what she heard from the others was true. Tanomi Yumehara had the brightest, happiest smile of the group, even outpacing Setsuna’s own in spite of her being the Pretty Cure of Happiness.
Heck even Nico, a fairy tale character with an entire story based on her wondrous smile, paled in comparison to the girl's smile. And yet here she was frowning with her face facing the ground and posture that would make her sister look refined. It caused Lillian to look in shock as she made a slight gasp. And as she did, the magenta haired girl was alerted and looked up.
“Lillian?” Tanomi questions as Lillian blushed slightly and cursed her luck to have run into her on her way out of the meeting hall. Yet as she sighed, she looked at the girl. “Hello Tanomi.” She says as she gives her a confused look.
“Why are you in the hallway?” She questions with a cute head tilt as Lillian pauses hearing the girl's voice. “I..was looking to see if you were still coming to the meeting.” She says as Tanomi nods.
“Oh I see..sorry I am a bit late..I..” She says as she pauses and then smiles. “Lost track of time.” The girl says as Lillian frowns. She frowned at both her obvious lie and also her smile. Not the smile she was expecting to see from the girl, instead it was the fakest one she had ever seen on the girl. More fitting on Erika when she lied about taking an extra cookie from the cookie jar during Christmas Vacation. Not the one she expected on Tanomi, which caused the girls worry to double as she stared at her.
“Tanomi..” She says as her voice is calm yet also serious as Tanomi looks at her. “Yes..Lillian?” She questions. “We need to talk.” She says bluntly as Tanomi pauses. “Oh..but what about the meeting?” She says as Lillian looks at her.
“It can wait..something is wrong with you and I wish to know what it is.” She says as Tanomi frowns. “Nothing is..” She says as she’s cut off by Lillian giving her a look. “Stop lying. Now common, we can talk up there.” She says pointing to the stairway near the meeting hall door as Tanomi looked and then nodded in defeat. “Oh..okay Lillian.” She says as the two walk over to it and sit down.
As they did, a silence covered the room as both girls were sitting like statues. Each one only blinking here and there but entirely silent. Until Lillian sighed. “So then..what’s wrong Tanomi.” Lillian says as Tanomi frowns. “Nothing is wrong..Lillian San.” She says with a fakeness in her voice as Lillian glares.
“Stop lying.” She says firmly as she faces her. “What happened? You're not acting like yourself, so something must have happened.” She says as Tanomi flinches in fear a bit but sighs. “I..yes..something did happen to make me this way. But..it’s fine.” She says as Lillian frowns.
“Be that as it may, I would like to know what happened.” She says as Tanomi sighs. “Very well..it’s about my friends..the ones I wanted to bring today.” Tanomi says as she looks up. “It happened yesterday to be exact..” Tanomi says as she flashes back to the events.
Said girl’s expression was far happier then, as she turned off her phone and as she rushed off from the water fountain, where she was filling up her water bottle. As she rushes she soon smiles happily as she finds herself face to face with her friends. As she did, the blonde haired short girl of the group, Amai, smiled happily.
“Hey Nomi’s back.” Amai says with her found nickname for the girl as the red / orange haired, Hina, looks at the girl with a smirk. “And she’s got a fire lite it seems.” She jokes as the blue haired tallest girl of the group, Marina, looks at her.
“What happened that made you so happy?” She questions curiously as Tanomi smiles. “Well I just was on the Redemptives Group chat and Setsuna told us about our newest meeting date.” She says as the green haired strongest girl of the group, Kimari, nods.
“Oh cool. But what made you so happy about just a regular old meeting?” She questions as Tanomi blushes. “Oh..well..it’s just that since I know the meeting date in advance, I wanted to ask if you four would join us?” She says before she hears a noise as a purple creature on Amai’s shoulder makes a noise.
“Oh sorry Chielfin, would you five like to join us?” She questions as the group looks at one another before giving her faces that show many different expressions, as Tanomi frowns.
“Why do you all look sad?” She questions as Amai speaks up. “Well Nomi…it’s just that we all kinda talked about this..” She says uneasy as Hina looks at her. “So to not beat around the bush, we..don’t wanna join the Redemptives.” She says as Tanomi looks surprised.
“Oh..and why is that?” She questions with shock clear in her voice. “Don’t get us wrong. We are grateful to you and the others for giving us the chance, but after hearing from you what it’s like and what goes on..well for me I just don’t see the point.” Marina says as Kimari nods.
“Yeah. Like it seems cool and all but..it’s just that we're kinda already redeemed. We learned who we were and now we live our own lives. Heck, we even made up with Komachi and the others by ourselves. And now we're all friends.” Kimari says as Hina nods.
“So we kinda don’t see the point. Or at least for us we don’t, you can still love it.” Hina says as Amai nods. “Yeah and if it helps you, we are really happy to hear that! But it just doesn’t seem like something for us. Even if I do wanna meet others, maybe outside of this group someday.” Amai says as Chielfin nods to her friend.
“Yeah and with Chielfin, I'd be afraid of her being around others. I mean Kurumi wants to strangle her any time she’s around. So I don’t want them to get switched by her and get pissed at us.” Hina says as Amai frowns.
“Hey she hasn’t done it since the island! She’s been a good girl, haven’t you, Chielfin?” Amai says as her pet cooes happily as the others sweat drop. “But regardless, we just don’t really wanna join. At least right now..but thanks again for the offer, Tanomi.” Hina says kindly as the others nod and face their friend.
As she..gives a smile. “Oh of course. Don’t worry, I completely understand.” She says with a smile as the others are a bit shocked. “Oh..well cool. Anyway so we probably should get moving to that new shop we wanna show ya. Can't have you use that library teleportation over the train again.” Hina says as Tanomi nods.
“Oh of course. Let’s go.” She says with a smile as the others nod as Amai instructs Chielfin to hide in her bag as the five walk out of the park area. All the while, Tanomi’s smile drops multiple times before others turn as she fakes it once more and more throughout the whole rest of that day.
“So today I was coming in a bit sad because of that..and that I would have to tell Setsuna and the others about it as well.” Tanomi says as Lillian nods. “I..see.” Lillian says with a pained expression. She figured this might have been the cause but hearing it from the horse's mouth was painful.
And Tanomi’s changes in expression during it hurt Lillian to see. From a bit of joy at first, to shock, to hurt, to silent sadness. Yet as she soon sees Tanomi’s expression grows even sadder as the girl looks at her. “Yeah..” She says as Lillian frowns.
“Well..even if they don’t join, it’s at least nice they let you down gently.” She says trying to be positive as Tanomi nods. “Yes..those four are always good at that. They are all so kind..” She says with a slight smile as Lillian nods.
They did seem kind to her and she could see them matching others she had met. It is a shame she would not meet them yet, but she was happy to know Tanomi had them in her life. Yet as she thought of this, Tanomi soon frowned once more. “And also strong..unlike me.” She says as Lillian feels a shift in tone. Sadness turns to envy as Tanomi looks down.
“Why do you say that?” She questions as Tanomi doesn't look up. “Because..they don’t need this group. Yet I do. Despite starting out by having much more time knowing the truth, I..still need to join the Redemptives. But they did not. In a few short months they have grown far more than me..and it makes me wonder what’s wrong with me..” Tanomi says as she tears up.
“I..I..already am nothing like Nozomi. Not as great or even close to as amazing as she is..and I have accepted that. But even those I am most like..the ones who like me are cut from the same cloth as dark counterparts. And yet..even compared to them..I am so far behind. And I wonder..when will I be at that level. Or even is this group actually helping? Or am I..am I..” She says bursting into tears as she didn’t finish. Instead the girl just hugged her knees as Lillian looked at the scene before her and felt powerless.
Lillian was not one for these kinds of talks. She was simple, direct and firm. Yet equally, she deep down was kind and loving. So seeing Tanomi like this..as much as it broke from who she was..she slowly moved her arms and wrapped them around Tanomi. Not saying a word as she just stays there with her.
The girl seemed shocked but her tears just kept falling as Lillian silently hugged her. Yet also she was trying to find what’s next. Namely the words. To find something to say. Something to help. Just like..just like Tanomi did. And in that moment..she found her words of encouragement.
“Tanomi..don’t say any of that because..you..you matter.” She says as her words cracked a bit from worry. She was so unsure of saying this yet in the moment her heart said this was what she should say. As she did, Tanomi stopped crying and broke the hug.
“I..I..know..but I..am just a failure compared to everyone else.” She says as Lillian looks at her with firm yet compassionate eyes. “No..you are not. You are an amazing person. You helped everyone so much. Your the reason this group learned of the original plan Joker had, your the reason along with Kurumi and the others that the Plamier Kingdom is standing now, you are the reason why your friends are even still themselves and not reverted into that monster, Shadows, playthings. And you..” Lillian says as she soon feels the sadness yet the joy from a memory triggers in her. Of a hug in the city streets of Labyrinth, which touched her greatly.
“You..made me happy and brought me out of my despair when I needed it most.” She says as Tanomi looks on in surprise. “I..I really did?” She questions as Lillian feels pain from the fact the girl had to ask. Yet she ignored her sadness at that comment and nodded.
“Yes..you taught me the importance of this group..of why I should use it to help me on my path to redemption. You gave me that through the kindness in your heart. Because you understood me the best of anyone around even versus my sister. And because of that, I can say to you now that you are not a failure. Nor is this the time that would show that.” She says as Tanomi looks at her.
“But I..” She says as Lillian is firm and gives her a look. “You have not helped the others to join? No but they don’t have to follow our path.” She says as Tanomi looks on.
“In our group..we have so many people who come from such different lives before joining..and yet we have many who haven’t joined yet have their own paths to take. Think of Papple and her group. Or the many allies of the different teams who live independently on their own worlds or places. That’s not because our group doesn’t work..but because they found their own redemptive path. A different one from us..but one just as important and meaningful. At least that’s how I see it..” She says as she goes silent as Tanomi looks down to the ground.
As Lillian waits with bated breath hoping her word choices helped even for a second. Yet soon, she feels relief from seeing something she was so used to yet in this moment was so needed. Tanomi looked at her and smiled with understanding and happiness.
“Lillian..you're right. I guess I was wrong with how I thought of it. I was so focused on the others finding their redemption and being there every step of the way that I..lost sight of all of us having our own different Redemptive paths. But you helped me to see that. So thank you.” She says as Lillian nods.
“Of course. After all..you are my friend. And that’s what we should do for each other.” She said still not used to the word. But as she did Tanomi lit up with joy just as she did back during Christmas, as well as when she said it during their first meeting together.
Yes we are the best of friends after all.” She says happily as Lillian nods. “Though I believe this talk might have made us late for the meeting.” Lillian says as she looks down to her phone. “Oh dear then let’s head to the meeting hall. I have to tell the others about what happened after all. Though this time..I can do it happier.” Tanomi says as Lillian nods. But as both girls stand up Tanomi looks at the taller girl.
“Oh..but Lillian..I did wanna ask you something.” She says as the girl pauses. “Yes?” She questions. “Someday..would you want to meet the others? I know they won’t join us but I am most saddened by the fact they wouldn’t be able to meet you. But I am sure if you did, they’d love to be friends with you.” She says as Lillian is at first a bit surprised yet soon softly smiles. “Of course Tanomi..I would be honored to do so. Yet let’s not decide on this just yet.” She says as Tanomi giggles.
“Of course. But I am glad to have asked you.” She says as Lillian and the pink loving girl soon walked down the stairs back to the meeting room, where a hopefully fun meeting was gonna occur. One Lillian hoped she would continue to have Tanomi by her side. And with the girl's smile once again happily again, she nodded as that certainly seemed to be the case for a long time to come on their redemptive path together.